Chapter 134 Couples Arguing, It's a Kind of Fun
Stuart clutched his phone, trying to ignore the panic creeping in.
Josephine didn't yell or freak out; her calmness made Stuart uneasy, like things were slipping out of control.
He'd felt this way before but never really noticed it until now.
Trying not to overthink, he said, "If you want to go abroad, come to the club."
He hung up, tossed the phone aside, and pinched the bridge of his nose.
He used to think this marriage wasn't what he wanted and that a divorce would be a relief.
But he didn't expect Josephine to make such a scene about it. It stripped him of his dignity.
Even now, Stuart felt it wasn't that he didn't want the divorce; it was her way of forcing it that he couldn't accept.
Men valued their pride and reputation the most.
Josephine had humiliated him, and he couldn't swallow his pride.
Josephine hung up, a bitter smile on her lips.
Stuart was being unreasonable.
But if she didn't go this time, going abroad would be tough.
She thought for a moment, made a call, and headed to the club.
At the club, besides a few close shareholders, Stuart had invited some prominent figures from the Hustalia aristocracy.
But he didn't invite Robin.
For some reason, Robin's recent behavior was off-putting.
He couldn't pinpoint why, but it made him uncomfortable.
Such gatherings were no secret in their social circle.
They hadn't been seated long when Robin showed up uninvited.
"You didn't invite me," Robin said, sitting next to Stuart.
He had a good personal relationship with Stuart, so no one was surprised.
Stuart flicked his cigarette ash. "Aren't you busy?"
Robin had been busy with a project recently.
He laughed. "No matter how busy I am, I still have time to eat. Should I invite Donna over?"
He rushed over because Josephine hadn't responded to his messages, and Stuart hadn't contacted Donna.
When Stuart first saw Doris, he didn't hide his affection for her.
Now that Donna resembled his first love even more, he should be more proactive. But he hadn't asked about Donna.
Robin felt anxious.
Stuart said, "Forget it, it's just us men here. Why bring her?"
Robin laughed. "Just invite a few more people."
Stuart's face tightened, his gaze cold.
Robin didn't finish his sentence, picked up his wine glass to cover his awkwardness, and took a sip without saying more.
A shareholder spoke up, "Today's situation is a bit special."
Robin was curious. "What's the situation?"
The shareholder glanced at Stuart, and seeing no objection, continued, "Mrs. Haustia is coming later."
"Mrs. Haustia?" Robin didn't react immediately, then said, "Why is Josephine coming?"
"To apologize," the shareholder continued, "Previously, the divorce was just a marital dispute. In my opinion, women shouldn't be overly pampered."
"Alright," Stuart said calmly, "A man shouldn't argue with a woman."
"Exactly," another shareholder chimed in, "Fate brought you two together. It's not easy to become a couple. Mr. Haustia, you should give her some face later."
Stuart raised an eyebrow. "Let's see how she behaves."
Robin, puzzled, asked, "Josephine is coming to apologize? You guys are already divorced. Are you not getting divorced anymore?"
"Oh, Mr. Bailey," someone said, "Don't you get it? It's just a marital spat. It's a form of affection!"
Many people started to jeer, and Stuart's face showed a hint of a smile.
Robin forced a smile but couldn't hide the jealousy in his eyes.
A few minutes later, Josephine arrived.
The room fell silent.
Josephine didn't expect Stuart to have invited so many people.
The room was full. Besides a few shareholders, there were many of his usual friends.
Josephine didn't have a good impression of those people.
She looked around and finally fixed her gaze on Stuart. "I'm here. Say what you have to say."
Everyone was taken aback. Josephine was supposed to apologize, but it sounded like she was asking Stuart to speak first.
All eyes turned to Stuart.
Stuart remained seated, glancing at the shareholder who had just spoken.
That shareholder, Orlando Wolf, was quick-witted and immediately spoke up, "Josephine, I had a piece of advice for you."
Josephine politely replied, "Go ahead."
Orlando continued, "There's no major conflict between a couple. Just lower your head and admit your mistake, and this matter will be over."
"Right," another shareholder added, "A divorce would affect the company's stock, especially the Kalmien family's business."
Robin looked at Josephine, saying nothing. He didn't expect Stuart to pull such a stunt. He also didn't know Josephine's true stance on the divorce.
He thought that once they were divorced, it would be over. But now, it seemed it wasn't enough.
Josephine spoke, "You're all right, but I'm sorry. I'm a selfish person. Since we're already divorced, I don't want to deal with those matters anymore. I just hope that we won't have any more connections in the future. Mr. Haustia, in front of everyone here today, I hope you can give me an answer. Can you?"
Everyone was stunned, including Robin.
It seemed Josephine had no intention of reconciling. Or maybe she was just raising her stance.
Stuart didn't expect that even in front of so many people, she still wouldn't back down.
He sneered. "Alright, you don't want any more connections. Then why did you come today?"
Josephine was about to say that it was because he called her. But she thought of the visa issue. And Stuart's gaze indeed carried a threat and coldness.
Josephine didn't want to back down, but reality forced her to compromise.
She said, "I came today to apologize."
Everyone sighed in relief.
There was no other way; Stuart's expression was too grim.
The atmosphere in the room was almost suffocating.
Stuart raised an eyebrow. "Oh, let's hear it."
Josephine said, "I know, Mr. Haustia, you've never liked me. The intermarriage wasn't your intention. So, I apologize for all my previous actions. In the future, I will stay far away from you and never come before you to annoy you."
The more Stuart listened, the darker his expression became.
He said coldly, "Everyone, get out!"
